This call for papers is for a proposed panel to be held at (dis)junctions:Malappropriation Nation, the University of California, Riverside'sfourteenth annual graduate humanities conference on April 6-7, 2007.

The framework for (dis)junctions 2007: Malappropriation Nation might beimagined in relation to what the 20th century American poet Susan Howe callstheidea of "Lawlessness," the acting outside of acceptable boundaries andideologies. In developing this year's theme, we are hoping to formulatepanelsin which conventional or popular theories are used and in turnreworked/rethought/re-imagined in ways that may be more useful/empowering.Howcan we think of theories outside of their original intent? Correspondingly,where do we witness artists/writers/theorists restructuring the conventionsoftradition? Also, how can theories, ideas and artistic objects be usedagainsttheir intended purposes; how can a theory be used against the author'sobjective? We thus imagine this idea of "malappropriation" as being bothempowering and dis-empowering.

With this theme in mind, the panel on gender and space in the theater willfocus on the spatiality of the theater as a unique site in which gender canbe questioned, performed, and redefined. How does theatrical space functionas a venue of gender performativity? What does theatrical literature(plays, performance art) offer that is different than literature thatconsists exclusively of the written word? How has theater been redefinedand appropriated by feminists as a space of genderdeconstruction/reconstruction? How has theater functioned as a space fornon-normative sexualities?

Please email abstracts (250 words) to laura.westengard_at_email.ucr.edu Also,please note any A/V needs you may have - we can obtain VCRs, DVDs, andprojectors for laptops. Less standard equipment is possible (although notguaranteed) upon request.